A recent study of over 1,000 adults suggests that cannabis use can leave lasting fingerprints on the human body through epigenetic changes, which affect how genes are expressed. Researchers found associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers, including DNA methylation levels, which can impact health outcomes.
The study analyzed data from a long-running health study of participants aged 18-30 when it began, tracking their cannabis use over two decades. Blood samples were collected at the 15- and 20-year marks, allowing researchers to examine epigenetic changes caused by recent or cumulative cannabis use.
Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, influence how cells interpret genes without altering the genomic sequence. Environmental and lifestyle factors can trigger these changes, which can be passed on to future generations and measured through blood biomarkers.
The study identified 22 DNA methylation markers associated with recent cannabis use and 31 linked to cumulative use at the 15-year mark, increasing to 132 and 16 respectively at the 20-year point. Notably, one marker was also associated with tobacco use, suggesting a potential shared epigenetic regulation between marijuana and tobacco.
The researchers emphasize that this study does not prove cannabis causes health problems or directly links it to these changes. However, it provides novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors, highlighting the need for further research to determine consistency across different populations and long-term effects on age-related health outcomes.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/cannabis-use-is-linked-to-epigenetic-changes-scientists-discover